University of Arkansas Registrar Retires After 37 Years of Service

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Alice Lacey

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Alice Lacey, the University of Arkansas registrar for the past 11 years, plans to retire Feb. 1, 2010, after more than 37 years of service at the university. Dave Dawson, director of the Fulbright College advising office, will serve as interim registrar.

“Alice Lacey has become a campus icon at the University of Arkansas,” said Nancy Talburt, vice provost for academic affairs. “The depth of her knowledge of university programs, curricula, registration processes, and related policies has given her the ability to address problems facing the office creatively and effectively. Her deep commitment to the security of university records has made her a powerful advocate for safeguards. And her hard work each year at commencement has provided students a memorable conclusion to their pursuit of a degree.”

Each year, the registrar’s office processes more than 50,000 registrations, produces more than 30,000 transcripts and evaluates more than 3,000 transfer records, and those numbers continue to grow with the university’s enrollment. Lacey also co-manages annual commencement ceremonies with Pat Koski, associate dean of the Graduate School. Lacey has also served twice as co-chair of the campus United Fund drive and has been active in the Fayetteville community as well.

“The registrar’s office and the University of Arkansas are losing a dedicated and caring individual with the retirement of Alice Lacey,” said Jack Parker, director of registration. “Alice’s main focus is and always has been to serve the students and the university campus community. During her tenure as registrar she has continued to preserve and enhance the record-keeping process within the department while providing the best service possible. We congratulate her as she begins this new chapter in her life, but will truly miss her.”

Lacey has assisted faculty committees such as the Academic Standards Committee in finding their way through the intricacies of policy interpretation and adjudication. She has also worked with University Information Technology Services to move the registration and grade-reporting processes from manual, paper-based systems to computerized online systems.

“Alice has made many important contributions to the registrar’s office and to the University of Arkansas,” said Suzanne McCray, vice provost for enrollment. “She has been a tireless advocate for the students and has provided strong support to faculty.”

Before her tenure in the registrar’s office, Lacey worked in the office of university housing. In 1976, she and Linda Stafstrom, a former University of Arkansas admissions counselor, established a riding and boarding stable for horses.